Preparing Your Child For Her First Trip To The Pediatric Dentist

Times have changed. The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry now recommends bringing your tike for her first pediatric dental visit no later than her first birthday. If your children are relatively well-spaced in age, you may gasp, since the bar has shifted from age three to age one. Why? Good oral hygiene begins early, and a pediatric dentist, rather than a regular dentist, is better equipped to handle preventative dentistry and tooth development in children to keep them smiling beautifully for a lifetime.

If images of your red-faced, screaming infant’s reaction to vaccinations at the pediatrician’s office or the wailing terror of your toddler’s first haircut immobilizes you from making that first appointment with a pediatric dentist, here are some tips to make the dental visit smooth sailing.

The sooner you start going through the motions of teeth brushing with your infant, the less she’ll resist later. Children love routines—routines are comfortably predictable, so designate brushing as part of your meal time and nighttime rituals. While experts recommend brushing after breakfast and before bedtime, you will be instilling good oral hygiene habits in your children by encouraging them to brush after each meal. Before you even spot that first tooth, use a damped piece of gauze or wet washcloth to wipe across the gums to remove unwanted bacteria. When teeth begin to emerge, you can continue with the gauze or wash cloth, or you can advance to a finger toothbrush that’s gentle on those sensitive, teething gums. Sing a song with your child to make teeth brushing silly and fun. Parents are great at improvisation—I always sing We’re gonna brush your choppies, choppies, choppies. We’re gonna brush your choppies and make them clean. Clean, clean, clean, they’ll sparkle and they’ll gleam. Clean, clean, clean, they’ll sparkle and they’ll gleam. We’re gonna brush your choppies, yes we are! It is easy and not hard! My daughter remains so focused on the fun song that she’s nearly oblivious to the swirling toothbrush in her mouth.

Once your child has a significant crop of teeth, it’s time to shop for a real toothbrush! The finger brush won’t cut it anymore. Children’s toothbrushes come in a wide array of their beloved characters. Choose a few that are designed for your child’s age range, and let him pick the one he wants. Kids are more receptive to participating amicably in a routine when they can assume an active role in the decision-making. Even when a toddler has brushed with the same Tigger, Pooh, or Elmo toothbrush 20 times, he will still get as excited to see it as he did the first time it was used. Toddlers do not have the adequate motor skills to brush their own teeth effectively until they are much older, but after you have done a thorough job of brushing, let her have a stab at it. She will enjoy her moment of independence as she haphazardly and jerkily zigzags from one side of her mouth to the other (hopefully without gagging herself!), but she will be introduced to the healthy habit of brushing her own teeth.

If you encounter difficulty in removing those mealtime remnants stuck in the deeper recesses of her teeth, let her assist. Some toddlers threaten to upchuck if you put your fingers in their mouths, trying to make way for the looming brush, but they overcome the gag reflex when they can pull their own cheeks aside for you. Just show your toddler how to pull the left and right cheeks out at the bottom and top, and you’ll gain VIP access to those molars. Getting comfortable with all the fingering in their little mouths will also prepare them for the dental hygienist’s cleaning and the pediatric dentist’s probing.

Most parents already know that until your child can spit out toothpaste (typically between the ages of 3-4), you have to stick with the fluoride-free variety to prevent staining of their adult teeth. While Orajel is a trusted name that dominates the market of fluoride-free training toothpaste, it often doesn’t have sufficient “grit” to remove plaque build-up, especially as your toddler matures. Our pediatric dentist recommends Tom’s of Maine Fluoride-Free Toothpaste, since it is all natural and very effective in removing plaque from those pearly white baby teeth.

One of the first things a pediatric dentist wants to know is how much juice you feed your toddler. Sugary juices, constant snacking, pacifier use, sleeping with bottles, and thumb-sucking are definite no-no’s, since they create major dental issues for your little one. A pediatric dentist will educate you on optimum oral hygiene practices that are crucial to your child’s development. The better care you take of your child’s teeth, the less problems will develop that would cause his first pediatric dental visit to be traumatic.

If you don’t seem worried, she won’t be either. Take the fear out of your child’s first dental visit by being real with her and outlining what procedures she can expect to encounter. You’ll be surprised how much she’ll absorb from your conversation, even if you think she’s not listening. Just remember to keep it simple. For example, it is sufficient to tell her that she’s going to a dentist and that a dentist is a doctor who will look at her teeth to make sure they are in good shape. Tell her that the dentist will clean her teeth, just like mommy does (only better), and that she’ll have to keep her mouth open so he can look and poke around inside. Assure her that it won’t hurt! Promise her that if she does what the dentist tells her to do and is brave and doesn’t cry, she’ll get a surprise when she returns home. Yes, bribery is appropriate in this situation! Your reward doesn’t need to be spectacular. Your child will appreciate a kiddie ice cream cone, a trip to the park, a new book, or some splash fun at the swimming pool.

Go to the library or purchase a children’s book describing a fictionalized account of a first trip to the dentist. Have a frequent review where you ask your child to repeat what she has learned. For example, ask your child several times in the weeks or days before her appointment, Now, what will the dentist do? Look at my teeth. What will you get if you’re a good girl who does what the dentist says and doesn’t cry? A surprise. It’s human nature to fear the unknown. If you present the pediatric dental visit as a new adventure that offers a prize at the end, and you teach your child what to expect during the appointment, she won’t go into shock at the newness of it all because your words will have already familiarized her with the drill.

Pediatric dental offices are often decorated in kid themes that your tot will find comforting and engaging. Age apropos toys await, and dental assistants speak fluent “kid.” Your child will be placed on a booster seat in the regular dental chair and lowered back for a cleaning. To minimize the brightness of the exam light, some offices provide sunglasses for your child to wear during the appointment. Modern offices are equipped with TV monitors playing the latest cartoon or Disney movie. Your child will become so absorbed in the tube, he will relax considerably! After the teeth have been cleaned, the dentist will count the number of teeth he has, scrape off any tartar or plaque, and give you the verdict on teeth spacing, proper bite, cleanliness, and if he is cavity free. If your child has any serious issues that require additional treatment, monitoring, or lifestyle modifications, they will be addressed. The hygienist may then apply a vitamin-laden substance to your child’s teeth to give them a healthy boost. Before departing, your brave sport will receive a child-inspired reward, such as stickers, bouncing balls, and a colorful toothbrush.

By preparing your child in advance with clear expectations in a manner that doesn’t sound an alarm, he will take his first pediatric dental visit in stride. By the appointment’s end, you’ll both sigh from contented relief at hurdling another milestone (don’t forget to take pictures!). In six months when it’s time for his next check-up, it will be a breeze. You’ll both say, “aaaaahhhh,” but for different reasons.